George Bush, Berlin mayor Eberhard Diepgen, Mikhail Gorbachev and Helmut Kohl posed in front of a photograph of the opening of the Berlin wall yesterday at an emotional ceremony in the new German capital.

The former leaders of the US, the Soviet Union and Germany were the three key figures in the demise of communism in Europe. They gathered at Berlin city hall, where Mr Kohl proposed Mr Bush for honorary German citizenship, as Germans began their celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the wall's fall. Mr Gorbachev, making one of his first public appearances since the death of his wife Raisa, was the guest of honour.

Mr Kohl appeared close to tears as Mr Diepgen, referred to his role in the events of 1989. The former chancellor's determination to heal the division of his country in the face of widespread misgivings was crucial to Germany's subsequent and rapid reunification.

In his speech of acceptance, Mr Bush stressed US determination over more than 40 years to ensure that part of Berlin remained within the west. "Berlin was never alone," he told the audience.

Apart from the ceremony, life in the city yesterday was much as normal. The main events to commemorate the fall of the wall are scheduled for today, when the three leaders will be joined by other dignitaries at a debate in the German parliament.

Tonight there will be a rally and concert at the Brandenburg Gate where, on the night of November 9 1989, ecstatic Germans chiselled and hammered at the wall as the communist world's most obstinate symbol was breached.